Enhancing Patient-Provider Communication to Overcome Racial Bias and Medical Mistrust in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Survivorship.

Introduction: Racially insensitive cancer care contributes to medical distrust, poor health outcomes, limited access, and low adherence to follow-up. Racially responsive care extends beyond treating physical symptoms. It requires an understanding of the cultural influences on the values, attitudes, and behaviors of patients and their families.

Methods: Here, we report a case of a 61-year-old Black woman who underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant for myelodysplastic syndromes and felt her ongoing concerns related to survivorship were dismissed by the medical team. The psycho-oncology service intervened by organizing a multidisciplinary family meeting.

Results: The meeting included healthcare providers from multiple disciplines and the patient's family members. It aimed to increase family engagement and foster shared decision-making. The patient reported feeling affirmed and heard, which improved her trust in the care team and her engagement in follow-up care.

Discussion: This case underscores the importance of culturally sensitive, racially responsive care in oncology. Multidisciplinary interventions can play a critical role in rebuilding trust and improving outcomes for racially marginalized patients.